As Anambra inches toward the November 8 governorship election, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has sparked outrage with a series of verbal attacks and smear campaigns against his opponents, drawing criticism for abandoning governance in favour of character assassination.
The re-election-seeking governor, flying the flag of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has openly vowed to destroy the reputation of Senator Uche Ekwunife, the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate. Through his Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Adichie Izuchukwu, Soludo declared the launch of a coordinated social media campaign to “damage Uche Ekwunife’s political career beyond repair.”
Izuchukwu, a relatively unknown aide, wrote boastfully: “Dancing to the gods because I know, I will use my 30k followers to damage Uche Ekwunife’s political career beyond repair!”
The outburst follows weeks of accusations from Soludo’s camp, including claims that Ekwunife parades a “fake PhD certificate.” Critics argue that Soludo’s fixation on her academic credentials reflects his fear of her growing grassroots influence.
At a Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria prayer rally in Awka, Soludo also publicly mocked Labour Party’s George Moghalu, telling him: “I heard they said you’re contesting for something (laughs hysterically)… don’t worry, after you’re done struggling in vain you’ll still come back to me.”
Critics Slam “Infantile Politics”
Civil society organisations, including the South East Patriots, have condemned Soludo’s behaviour, calling it “infantile character assassination” at a time the state is grappling with insecurity, killings, and gross human rights violations.
Since the launch of Soludo’s controversial Agunechemba vigilante outfit, Anambra has witnessed rising cases of extra-judicial killings, abductions, extortion, and assaults—including the brutal beating and stripping of NYSC corps member Jennifer Edema in July. Communities such as Ogboji and Ogidi have recorded deadly attacks, yet critics say Soludo spends more time belittling opponents than tackling insecurity.
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Obunike Ohaegbu, Convener of the South East Patriots, condemned the governor’s approach: “As a sitting governor with full access to official channels of verification, he could have quietly investigated Senator Ekwunife’s credentials. Instead, he chose public demonisation.”
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A Governor Under Pressure
Political analysts say Soludo’s increasingly hostile rhetoric betrays deep anxiety about Ekwunife’s rising political strength and could further alienate voters already weary of insecurity and unfulfilled promises.
With less than two months to the polls, Soludo’s image risks shifting from reform-minded professor to embattled politician more concerned with silencing rivals than governing Anambra.
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